Receptacle filler for ice cream



VNOV' 8, 1938. c. F. wElNRElcH 2,136,224

RECEPTACLE FILLER FOR- ICE CREAM V Filed Jan. 12, 1937 ATTORN EYS A UNITED STATES PArErrr oFFicE BECEPTACLE FILLER FOR. ICE CREAM Charles Frederick Weinrcich, Des Plaines, Ill., as-

signor to Cherry-Burrell Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation Application January 12, 19am-sami No. 120,215

s Gianna. (ci. zzo-125i v'Ihepreiient invention relates to apparatus for as the icecream passes from the conduit into y filling receptacles in succession with an aerated the container; and to make possible the preserpartially frozen icecream or other analogous vation of themoisture film in the ice cream, which -products continuously deliveredv from a pressure insures the proper dispersion of the various inli freezer and suiliciently stiff so that it does not gredients comprising the ice cream mix.

promptly seek its own level in the receptacle. A further object is to provide a filling device Oneform of apparatus for lling receptacles in which the uniform distribution of solid par-A with ice cream delivered under pressure in plasticles therein, Such as fruit, nuts, or candy, is tic semi-frozen condition from va continuous insured in the ice cream after it is packed in the l freezer through a conduitand directly into a receptacle. 10 receptacle for hardening, storage and transporta.- In carrying out the present invention, I provide tion is that shown in the Vogt and Wyman a delivery conduit having a discharge nczzle Patent 1,881,106. 'I'he lower endof the conduit Widening towards its Outlet end and Presenting a projects into the open top of the receptacle durmaximum cIOSS-section at said end, s0 that the l ing the ailing operations and said conduit and pressure of the ice cream decreases as it flows il said receptacle are relatively moved apart in a towards said outlet end and the friction between substantial vertical direction during said opera- Said Viiowing ice cream andV the walls of said tions. The conduit has an outlet end substandischarge nozzle is gradually reduced to an extent tially smaller than the cross-section `of the renecessary t0 Preserve the moisture lms which ceptacle and there is provided a spreaderv meminsure PrOPer dispersion 0f the Various ingredi- 20 ber of substantially the shape and cross-sectional ents of the ice cream.

' area of the receptacle so as to level oif the ice As an additional feature, the outlet end 0f the cream towards the sides of the receptacle and discharge nozzle conforms substantially with the prevent the incorporation of air pockets. cross-section of the receptacle, so that the ice B5 Ice cream mix after being subjected to a freezcream is expanded in said nczzle t0 the aDPIOXi- 25 ing, whipping and aerating action in a continuous mate crOsS-Secllicn 0f the receptacle. thereby freezer, will be in a plastic semi-frozen condition maintaining unifcrm distribution of the solid with the fat, entrapped air, and ice crystals uni- Darticles in the receptacle. formly dispersed through the mass. Various other objects, features and advantages W There is a tendencyv toward rupture of theV of the invention willbeapparent from the followmoisture lm surrounding the fat globules, ice ing description and frOm an inspection r0f the crystals and entrapped air, caused by the subaccompanying drawing in Which:- stantial friction between the conduit walls and Figl iS a plan View. Somewhat diagrammatic, the ice cream flowing through the conduit. This showing the combination of a primary continuous l5 friction is increased if the ow at the outlet end freezer, a device fOr injecting Sclids inic the 35 of the conduit is restricted. Rupture of the moisstream of stiff partially frozen ice cream, and ture films is also caused'by rapid expansion at one form of receptacle iilling device embcdying the end of the delivery conduit. the present invention.

In the type of device above referred to the Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the lower end l0 spreading or leveling off operation referred to of the discharge nozzle of the construction of 40 forces a thin layer of ice cream from the center Fig. 1 and showing a form of grating for suptowards the sideY of theY receptacle, this layer porting the ice cream in the nozzle against tensile being too thin to permit the larger particles of breakage while exchanging an empty container solid material such as fruit, nuts, or candies to f for a filled one.

l5 pass therewith towards the sides of the recep- Fig. 3 is a vertical section through another 45 tacle, so that these particles tend to remain in form of discharge nozzle embodying the present the central portion of the receptacle. invention,

Among the objects 0f the present invention Fig. 4 is a bottom pian view of the lower end are to provide a method and apparatus which will of the discharge nozzle shown in Fig. 3, .and

insure the maintenance v0f the same proper dis- Fig. 5 -is a vertical section through a part of a 50 tributicn 0f ice crystals, fat glcbules and incOrcontainer and another form of discharge nozzle porated air in the delivered ice cream as was embodying the present, invention. established in the freezer; to establish a con- The type of apparatus illustrated is especially trollable and regulated relation between the readapted for filling an ordinary ice cream can duction of friction and theV reduction of pressure, or receptacle l0 such as is commonly used for 55 the storage, hardening and shipment of ice cream. 'I'he filling apparatus is connected to a conduit II which is shown as leading from a continuous pressure freezer I2.

A type of continuous freezer in connection with which the present invention may be used is shown in the Vogt Patents 1,783,864, 1,783,865, and 1,783,867 issued Dec. 2, 1930. Such a pressure freezer is connected to a suitable source of supply of ice cream mix I3, and to a source of air I4, these materials being delivered under pressure to the freezer and in`predetermined relative proportions. For that purpose there may be employed a metering pump I5 and a pump I8 of greater speed or capacity to suck in the air and' the metered mix and force both into and through the freezer. This ice cream mix is subjected in the freezer to agitation and refrigeration while air is being incorporated therein to give it the desired overrun. The ice cream delivered under pressure from the freezer through the conduit II, is a semi-frozen plastic product containing air, fat and ice crystals uniformly dispersed throughout the mass.

Solid particles such as fruits, nuts and candies may be injected into the ice cream after it leaves the freezer. For that purpose, there is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 1, on the discharge side of the freezer I2, a fruit or nut feeder I1 which may be of the general type shown in the Vogt Patents Nos. 2,032,961 and 2,032,962, or the Bendfelt Patent No. 2,032,971, issued March 3, 1936.

Depending substantially vertically from the supply pipe II is my improved can filling apparatus which in the specific form shown in Figs. 1 and 2 includes a delivery conduit I8 having at its lower end a discharge nozzle 20 adapted to project into the `open top of the receptacle I0 during filling operations.

As an important feature of the present invention, the nozzle 20 is so shaped that as the ice cream flows therethrough, it progressively expands, thereby reducing the pressure of said ice cream and correspondingly reducing the friction between the flowing ice cream and the walls of the discharge nozzle to an extent necessary to preserve the moisture lms in the ice cream.

'I In the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the

discharge nozzle is in the form of a cone or an inverted funnel presenting a maximum crosssectional area at its outlet end, so that the expansion of the flowing ice cream through this nozzle is effected gradually and progressively as it approaches the outlet end of the nozzle.

As a further feature of the present invention, the outlet end of the discharge nozzle 20 has a cross-section corresponding substantially to the cross-section of the receptacle I0, so that the ice cream is expanded in the discharge nozzle to the approximate full size of said receptacle. 'I'his construction has the advantage of eliminating the necessity for a spreading device, or if a spreading device is used to confine its action to the peripheral portion of the receptacle, so that the uniform distribution of solid particles in the ice cream established in the injecting apparatus I'I is maintained in this receptacle.

The receptacle Ill and the nozzle 20 are relatively movable vertically during illling operations, at a rate dependent upon the rate of accumulation of the material in the receptacle I0. The details of the means for permitting or aiding this relative movement of the receptacle I 0 and the discharge nozzle 20 form no part of the present invention and may be of the type shown in Fig. 1.

In this construction the receptacle I 0 is supported on a platform 2 I, having a plurality of supporting guides 22 depending therefrom, and passing through a fixed platform 23, so that said platform .2| is guided for vertical movement. This platform 2| is normally urged into its uppermost position by coil springs 24 which may encircle the guide rods 22.

As the ice cream accumulates in the receptacle I0, said receptacle is moved downward against the action of the springs 24 at a rate depending on said accumulation, until the platform 2| reaches its lowermost position. In this position the top of the receptacle will be slightly below the outlet end of nozzle 20, so that said receptacle can be moved laterally to shear oif the flowing stream of ice cream across the top of said receptacle.

In order to prevent the immediate upward movement of the platform 2I the instant the lled receptacle is removed and before it can be replaced by an empty one, there may be provided one or more latches 26, which automatically engage the platform 2l in its lowermost position, and hold it until manuallyl released.

In Fig. 3 is shown another form of construction which may be used for effecting relative movement of the receptacle and the nozzle vertically. In this construction the delivery conduit comprises a stationary section 30 connected to the conduit I I, and a. movable section 3|, encircling said stationary section 30, and connected to the upper end of the nozzle 20.

The receptacle I0 is stationary during the illling operation, and the discharge nozzle 20 with its associated conduit section 3i is moved upwardly in the receptacle I0 by the accumulation of material in said receptacle. In order to assist in this upward movement of the discharge nozzle 20, or to counterbalance the weight of the parts, there is provided a pair of cables 32 each connected at one end to said nozzle, passing around a pulley 33, and connected at the other end to a counterweight 34. As the material is forced through the nozzle the accumulation of ice cream in the receptacle forces said nozzle upwardly, this movement being aided by the action of the counterweights 34 until the ice cream reaches the upper level of the receptacle I0. The receptacle may then be moved laterally from beneath the nozzle and an empty one slid into place without interrupting the continuous ilow of the stream of ice cream from the freezer.

As there is a considerable mass of ice cream in the enlarged end of the nozzle it may have a tendency to drop from the outlet end of the nozzle while an empty can is being brought into p0-` sition due to the tension of the unsupported flowing stream of ice cream beyond said outlet end. To resist this tendency there may be provided a grating 3B as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 extending across the bottom end of the discharge nozzle and detachably or permanently secured by soldering or any other suitable means. 'I'his grating 36 tends to support the body of ice cream in the enlarged'end portion of the nozzle, so that it does not fall out during the removal of a lled receptacle and the replacing of an empty one in position.

In the form shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the nozzle 20 at its discharge end is somewhat smaller than the receptacle and has a radially outwardly extending annular ilange 31 extending from the outlet rim of the nozzle substantially to the inner periphery of the receptacle. 'I'his flange 3l may form part of the grate 36, or an imperforate wall and may assist in shearing off the ice cream across the top of a lled receptacle, and also as a wiping lip. This flange 31 also serves to spread the ice cream towards the inner periphery'of the receptacle, as it is discharged from the nozzle 20. Since the outlet end of the nozzle 20 is substantially co-extensive with the cross-section of the receptacle, and since the flange is comparatively narrow, the spreading action of this flange is not suiiicient to affect the uniform distribution of the solid particles in the ice cream.

In the construction shown in Fig. 5, the discharge nozzle comprises a pair of sections 42 and 43 flaring towards the outlet end of the nozzle and interconnected by a cylindrical section 44. 'I'he lower end of the flared section 43 is shown as provided with a cylindrical skirt 45 having a cross-section conforming substantially with the cross-section of the receptacle. By means of this construction the ice cream, instead of being con` tinuously and progressively expanded to the discharge point, as in the construction shown in Figs. 1 4, is expanded in separate shorter steps along the sections 42 and 43 so that between said expanding sections the moisture films have a chance to become adjusted to the expanded condition of the ice cream.

By means of my invention the rupturing of the moisturelms as the result of the expansion of the air in the ice cream mix, is naturally reduced if not entirely eliminated. The ice cream is expanded either continuously or in steps to the approximate cross-section of the receptacle being lled, so that film rupturing friction is minimized, and a uniform distribution of the solid particles is maintained in the ice cream.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent isz- 1. In combination, a pressure freezer for continuously forming under pressure and delivering an aerated semi-frozen plastic ice cream, a receptacle for receiving said ice cream and of substantially uniform cross section throughout its height, a delivery conduit connected to said freezer, and a discharge nozzle connected to said conduit and adapted to extend substantially to the bottom of said receptacle, said nozzle having a passage therethrough with its inlet end of approximately the cross sectional area of the conduit, and its outlet end in said receptacle of but slightly less cross sectional area than said receptacle, the cross sectional area of said passage gradually increasing from said inlet end to said outlet end, whereby the ice cream stream progressively spreads laterally at decreasing velocity and under decreasing pressure during flow through said nozzle, and has substantially no lateral flow in the receptacle after leaving said outlet and during relative vertical movement of the nozzle and receptacle at a rate corresponding to the rate of filling of the receptacle.

2. In combination, a pressure freezer for continuously forming under pressure and delivering an aerated semi-frozen plastic ice cream, a receptacle for receiving said ice cream and of .substantially uniform cross section throughout its height, a delivery conduit connected to said freezer, and a discharge nozzle connected to said conduit and adapted to extend substantially to the bottom of said receptacle, said nozzle being substantially in the form of a cone with outlet in said receptacle and of but slightly less cross sectional area than said receptacle, whereby the ice cream stream spreads laterally in the nozzle to approximately the cross section of the receptacle as the velocity of flow and the pressure decreases, and during relative vertical movement of the nozzle and receptacle at a rate corresponding to the rate of filling of the receptacle.

3. An apparatus for delivering an aerated semifrozen plastic ice cream under pressure into a receptacle of substantially uniform cross section throughout its height, said apparatus including a discharge nozzle adapted to extend substantially to the bottom. of said receptacle, and having a passage therethrough with its outlet end of but slightly less cross sectional area than said receptacle, the cross sectional area of said passage gradually increasing from its inlet end to said outlet end, whereby the ice cream stream progressively spreads laterally at decreasing velocity and under decreasing pressure during ow through said nozzle, and has substantially no lateral flow in the receptacle after leaving said outlet and during relative vertical movement of the nozzle and receptacle at a rate corresponding to the rate of filling of the receptacle.

4. A device for filling a receptacle with plastic material, including a discharge nozzle having the terminal, section thereof flaring outwardly for gradually reducing the pressure of the plastic material flowing through said nozzle, said nozzle being adapted to project into the open top of the receptacle, and having a grating across the outlet end permitting free passage therethrough of the plastic material during the filling of the receptacle, but substantially preventing the body of plastic material in the nozzle from dropping outY by gravity during the substituting of an empty receptacle for a filled one.

5. In combination, a pressure freezer for continuously forming under pressure and delivering a` stream of aerated senil-frozen plastic ice cream, a conduit connected to said freezer, an apparatus for introducing solid bodies into said stream flowing through said conduit, and a depending discharge nozzle on said conduit and having a passage therethrough of gradually increasing cross sectional area from the inlet end to the outlet end, the outlet end being but slightly less in cross sectional area than the receptacle to be filled, whereby the ice cream streamrwith the incorporated solids progressively spreads laterally during flow through the nozzle and has substantially no lateral flow after leaving the outlet and during'rela'tive vertical movement of the nozzle and receptacle during the filling of the latter.

6. In combination, a conduit for delivering an aerated semi-frozen plastic ice cream, an apparatus for introducing solid bodies into said conduit, a receptacle for receiving said ice cream and of substantially uniform cross section throughout its height, a discharge nozzle on said conduit and having a flaring passage with an outlet slightly less in cross sectional area than said receptacle, and a grating across said outlet, permitting free passage of said solids therethrough but preventing the body of ice cream in said flaring nozzle from falling out during exchange of an empty for a filled receptacle.

'7. A device for filling a receptacle with plastic material, including a discharge nozzle having the terminal section thereof flaring outwardly for gradually reducing the pressure of the plastic material flowing through said nozzle, said nozzle being adapted to project into the open top of the receptacle, and a flange in the plane of the outlet end of said nozzle and extending outwardly beyond the rim of said nozzle substantially to the inner periphery of said receptacle.

8. A device for filling a receptacle with plastic material, including a discharge nozzle having the terminal section thereof flaring outwardly i'or gradually reducing the pressure of` the plastic material owing through said nozzle, said nozzle being adapted to project into the open top of the receptacle, a grating across the lower end of the nozzle, and a flange in the plane of the outlet end of said nozzle and extending outwardly beyond the rim of said nozzle substantially to the inner periphery of said receptacle.

9. In combination, a pressure freezer for continuously forming under pressure and delivering a stream of aerated semi-frozen plastic ice cream, a conduit connected to said freezer, an apparatus for introducing solid bodies into said stream flowing through said conduit, and a depending discharge nozzle on said conduit and having the terminal section thereof flaring outwardly for gradually reducing the pressure of the ice cream flowing through said nozzle, said nozzle being adapted to project into the open top of the receptacle, and a ange in the plane of the outlet end of said nozzle and extending outwardly beyond the rim oi' said nozzle substantially to the inner periphery of said receptacle.

CHARLES F. WEINREICH. 

